As many will know I have Lupus and am on Azathioprine and HDX. I have pericarditis and possible pleurisy but recently I have experienced increased pain in my right hand. The profile of this hand is now slightly arched compared to my left. I can press it flat against a table but it is uncomfortable, rather an ouch moment really. It is painful when I press against the palm of the hand across the second and third joints, so that holding a mug, pushing up from the sofa, typing etc are all rather painful. Does this sound like an inflammatory joint problem/ tendon that someone has experienced. Urrr - will it never end!
Thanks for any ideas.
Written by
RosieA
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Hi RosieCan only say from my point of view I get random things cropping up in various parts of my body , last a few days or weeks then just improve only for something else to start. Hand and wrist pain is one of those. Less now I am on steroids.
I rely on paracetamol , can't take antinflammatorys on top of Aza, hydroxy and low dose steroids. Have you tried using antinflammatory creams like Voltarol?
Thank you Heather. You are indeed correct in that these things can be transient. I don't know why I keep forgetting about antinflammatory creams - will go and pop some on. The profile of my hand remains odd compared to the other one but the pain does come and go. I suspect that my AZA will have to be increased as it hasn't made a dent on the pericarditis yet. I still get one or more episodes when out walking. May I ask you how much you're on. Thank you again. x
Hi. My aza is for pericarditis and pleural effusion originally , haven't had a bad episode since but I do get rib, muscle pain, central pain and breathlessness randomly. I started on 150mg but now on 100 with hydroxy 200 and pred usually 1 or 2mgs but increased if i start to feel feverish.
Ah, thank you. I am 400mg HYX (100mg above weight recommendation) and 50mg AZA. I think the aim is to get the AZA up to a level where we can reduce the HYX. Just need to stop the pericarditis pain. I rib pain too and it's so hard to know what's skeletal and what's pleural.
Aza takes a good while to kick in , I was on high dose steroid when they started me on it. But got off that eventually , just have needed it occasionally .
I have found with joint pain I take a 30mg codeine with paracetamol which eases these random pains so much (on prescription) and also I have recently found a cream which was recommended by a friend and I found one on amazon which contains hemp for joint pain. It's less smelly and hot than deep heat type creams and works so much better. Be careful of some pain creams as they contain diclofenac or ibuprofen which we often have to be careful of but I'm sure you're aware of that.
Thank you. I will pop some cream on. I'm hopeless on codeine - completely floors me. Why do we need to be careful of ibuprofen? Is it because of our stomachs? Must admit I struggle with Naproxen and need to take a PPI. Thank you again. x
Best to take advice with ibuprofen if on steroids, have clotting issues, brain, kidney or liver issues, high blood pressure and the list goes on. Paracetamol seems to be kinder but doesn't work so well so I add the codeine but mostly take it later in the day and don't drive. I get some relief then. Best to ask if you have any underlying issues that ibuprofen is a no no with. I have higher blood pressure, brain and kidney issues so naproxen and ibuprofen are out completely for me. Always good to check seemingly innocent drugs with your rheumy and gp, even your chemist may help just in case there are some issues. Better to be safe.
I am sorry you have so many things to contend with. I am learning more and more about drugs and certainly Azathioprine has a long list of contenders on the not to be taken with list, as you say, better safe than sorry. x
A natural pain gel is Pernaton, I buy my tubes in Holland and Barratt or from Amazon, I call it my miracle cream. It comes from the green lipped mussel, rub it in when needed. I was told about it on this forum , I have RA in both shoulders and hands and knees and feet and would be lost without it x
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